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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

enduring

ihn-DYOOR-rihng

Enduring (adj) means lasting for a long time without significant change. Example: “Their enduring friendship survived decades apart.”

adj
1
Lasting for a long time without significant change.
"Their enduring friendship survived decades apart."
"The novel has had an enduring influence on modern literature."

How to use enduring

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that lasts and doesn't fade or weaken over time.

Common pairings
enduring legacy enduring friendship enduring appeal

Word forms

more enduring comparative, endurings plural, most enduring superlative

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Their _____ friendship survived decades apart.

Related words

Rhymes for enduring

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Frequently asked questions

What does “enduring” mean?

The word “enduring” means lasting for a long time without significant change. In plain terms, something that lasts and doesn't fade or weaken over time.

How do you pronounce “enduring”?

“Enduring” is pronounced ihn-DYOOR-rihng (/ɪnˈd(j)ʊɚ.ɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “enduring” in a sentence?

Here is “enduring” used in a sentence: “Their enduring friendship survived decades apart.”

What part of speech is “enduring”?

“Enduring” is an adjective.

Is “enduring” a common word?

“Enduring” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

What is the difference between enduring and lasting?

Both words describe something that continues over time, but enduring often carries a stronger sense of resilience or the ability to withstand challenges, as in "an enduring friendship" that survived difficulties. Lasting is more neutral and simply emphasizes duration without implying it overcame hardship.

What is the difference between enduring and permanent?

Enduring suggests something continues for a long time without significant change, but does not necessarily mean forever. Permanent implies something is fixed and unchanging indefinitely, with no expectation of ending, which is a stronger claim than enduring makes.

What nouns commonly follow enduring?

Enduring frequently modifies abstract nouns like "legacy," "appeal," "friendship," and "popularity," describing qualities that have proven resilient over an extended period.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial